With city’s help, LHR Sporting Arms set to start hiring

Thursday

Feb 7, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By Conor Makemcmakem@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — The City of Rochester recently issued its biggest ever JOB Loan to LHR Sporting Arms, LLC to help the young firm begin hiring employees. The check, ceremoniously presented by the city’s Economic Development Specialist Mary Ellen Humphrey and Community Development Specialist Elena Engle on Jan. 25, was for $100,000.

“It’s going to help some people from Thompson Center Arms get some jobs,” said Mark Laney, vice-president of research and development and one of four partners starting the new gun manufacturing facility.

When Smith and Wesson-owned firearms manufacturer Thompson Center Arms relocated to Massachusetts in 2011, Rochester lost more than 200 manufacturing jobs.

Laney and his partners, Patrick Hanley (VP sales and marketing), Michael Garland (president) and Karl Ricker (VP of engineering/operation), are former Thompson Center Arms employees with over 80 years experience in the firearms industry combined. They started LHR Sporting Arms in May 2012 to bring gun manufacturing back to the city, hoping to take advantage of the pool of experienced workers already available.

“The City feels confident that the principals of this company bring the necessary expertise to successfully launch a gun manufacturing business and eventually bring employment to a significant number of former Thompson Center employees. We are excited these four entrepreneurs have decided to keep their company here in Rochester,” said Karen Pollard, Deputy City Manager and Director of Community Development.

According to Humphrey, the JOB (Job Opportunities Benefits) loan is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through a community development block grant.

“It’s like a revolving fund. As it gets paid back, it goes back out,” Humphrey said, noting that typically the loans are paid back in 5-7 years. “The fact that the city believes in them, it helps with the credibility for other lenders.”

According to Laney, the loan from the city will initially be used for working capital.

Garland noted that LHR expects to begin hiring employees around March. Their goal for the year is to hire between eight and 10 employees, with hopes of future expansion.

For now, the four-man-operation is launching its first product, a muzzle-loading hunting rifle appropriately called “The Redemption.” The initial 100 units are specially engraved first editions.

According to Ricker, LHR is capable of manufacturing about 100 guns a day, but they are aiming for about 8,000 units in the company’s first year.

“I started working with them before anyone even knew they were going to do this,” Humphrey said. “I knew these four individuals bring an amazing amount of talent and experience that gives them an advantage. Their chances of success are much greater than someone without any experience.”

The team has distribution contacts through their time at Thompson Center. LHR products will be available through local distributors, as well as large chains like Cabella’s and Bass Pro Shops. They also are available online at the company website www.lhrsportingarms.com.

“They want to stay in Rochester. They are very dedicated to the city,” Humphrey said. “That’s part of the inspiration of what they’re doing.”

“We are looking forward to bringing the firearms business back to Rochester, NH and are eager to tap into the experienced workforce who will help us innovate and grow in the firearms industry for years to come,” Garland said.

LHR Sporting Arms is located at 9 Great Falls Ave., in Rochester and can be visited at www.lhrsportingarms.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lhrsportingarms. Inquiries are welcome, though direct consumer sales are not handled at the plant.